The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised concerns about its challenges in securing convictions in corruption cases, including high-profile ones. 

Wilson Uwajaren, the spokesman for the EFCC, shared these concerns during an interview with journalists in Kaduna State. Uwajaren identified several obstacles that hinder the swift prosecution of corruption cases and the achievement of convictions. 

He pointed out that some of the losses in court cases were due to what he described as “frivolous court judgments based on technicalities rather than the facts and national interest.” 

He also highlighted the arbitrary adjournment of corruption cases as another contributing factor.

Speaking at a one-day workshop for media practitioners on Effective Reporting of EFCC activities held in Kaduna state, Uwajaren revealed that the EFCC managed to secure approximately 7,700 convictions nationwide in 2022.

In addition to concerns about corruption cases, Abdulkarim Chukkol, the acting Chairman of the EFCC, expressed worry about the increasing prevalence of Internet-related fraud among the youth in Kaduna State. 

Aisha Abubakar, the acting Zonal Commander in the state, represented Chukkol during the workshop.

Chukkol emphasized that the active involvement of young people in Internet-related fraud could tarnish the country’s image and discourage honest work and legitimate means of livelihood. 

He urged the media to shed light on the issue of Internet crimes and provide the public with comprehensive information about the activities of these criminal elements to protect them from becoming victims of fraud.

Chukkol reaffirmed the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to eradicating all forms of economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. 

He highlighted the success of these efforts, noting that the Kaduna zonal office alone had secured the convictions of over 100 financial crime offenders.